Beloved 'Teacher' Buescher dies just before 103rd birthday

Mark Quick

Published 6:00 pm, Tuesday, January 16, 2001

His contribution was larger than life and his heart was that of a dedicated servant of God, that's what pastors, friends, and former students of Herbert "Teacher" Buescher had to say at a memorial service for the nearly 103-year-old Tomball man last Wednesday.

Teacher Buescher, who would have been 103 on Feb. 15, died peacefully Jan. 7 at the Harvest Home Personal Care Facility in Tomball. Harvest Home Director Annegret Shaw says he basically died of "old age." She said, "He had a little congestion lately, but had not been very sick." Although she and the residents are saddened by his passing Shaw says they are comforted because "for at least the past three years Teacher has been saying he was ready for the Lord to come get him."

Buescher came to teach at the one-room parochial school of Salem Lutheran Church in 1918 at the age of 20. Buescher was born in Steelville, Ill. in 1898 and after earning his teaching degree spent a short time in Oregon teaching with his brother. It was from Oregon that he traveled by train to assume his more than 45 year role as a teacher at Salem.

Former student Loyd Scherer said, "Teacher would laugh with us, and console us when we got bumps and bruises. He was there for us when we needed him. He was our pitcher and umpire. He was a dedicated servant of God."

Pastors speaking at the service said Buescher's dedication to teaching was evidenced by his long hours and willingness to work for low pay. He taught every subject and often had up to 65 students. Senior Pastor Wayne Graumann said, "His contribution was larger than life." To Salem students present at the service he pointed out, "There were times this school could have closed. You have a school today because of the grace and power of God as manifested through the life of one man - Teacher Buescher."

It was noted that at one point during the 1920s Buescher's salary was only $700 for the year. His daughter Ruby told The Potpourri in an interview last year that his pay even came in the form of vegetables at times.

Also last year Buescher himself told The Potpourri, "When I first came here it was hard. My salary was low in those days - and then the Great Depression Came."

Of his love for kids and for teaching he said, "I just loved the children. The younger they were the more I liked them, they would really listen."

Although he retired in 1963 Buescher's ministry did not end. He had always been involved in the church ministries of Salem and when he retired had a special ministry to the sick and homebound. Even though age began to restrict his activities Salem pastor of family life Mark Neumann said when he would visit Buescher at Harvest Home he would always ask about the people and ministry of Salem saying, "I want to keep my prayers up to date." He told The Potpourri last year, "I pray to the Lord everyday" and "My favorite Bible verse is Jon 3:16."

It was actually his religious convictions that formed the foundation of what he and those at his memorial service described as a "clean life."

He saw teaching as a fulfillment of the Great Commission of Jesus Christ to make disciples and of his students he said, "The best I could I tried to pass my faith on to the children."

Sharp of mind up until the time of his death Buescher frequently said, "I know Jesus as my savior and I know when my time is up I will go to be with the Lord."

About life he said he "enjoyed it all." His greatest source of pride was his more than 64 year marriage to his wife Emma. She preceded him in death in 1985.

If you want to live a long life he advised, "Lead a clean life and don't abuse your body." His advice to the youth of today was, "Put your faith in God and he will take care of you."

Buescher is survived by son and daughter-in-law Barney and Rita Buescher, daughter and son-in-law Ruby and Neal McKinney, three grandchildren, and four great grandchildren.